Democracy Explored 2.0 A Theoretical Tour d’horizon by Nikos Pasamitros

Definition Origin Greek: δημοκρατία δημο - κρατία δῆμος + κράτος people + rule Rule of the people Modernity A political system in which every citizen has an equal voice/part in the decision-making procedure.

Division of Democratic Powers Executive Legislative Judicial © Inter Alia 2013

Democratic Traditions 1. Conservatism: - Capitalism & business class should be subordinate to aristocracy - Aristocrats are the natural leaders of nations (Richard Hooker, David Hume, Edmund Burke) 2. Liberalism - Liberty, equality, private property, free trade, individual freedoms (John Locke, Adam Smith, Enlightenment Scholars) 3. Socialism - Social ownership & management of the means of production NOTE: According to Orthodox Marxism, Socialism is a temporary stage before Communism. (Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Eduard Bernstein, Karl Kautsky, Rosa Luxemburg) © Inter Alia 2013

Rough Sketch of Democratic Traditions © Inter Alia 2013

Party & Ideological Cleavages Right Owner Freedom of the individual Free market Privatisation Europeanist Left Working class Equality State intervention State ownership Euro-skeptical (crisis context) © Inter Alia 2013

Citizenship Who participates in a democracy? The Citizen (The bearer of citizenship) What is Citizenship? - Participation in government - Equality VS the law - The right to property (Roman) - Modern Era: The right to be politically represented Modern Citizenship (though Western) is culture-related © Inter Alia 2013

Citizenship Early modern Citizenship = civic rights -Physical & mental safety and integrity -Protection from discrimination -Individual rights Modern Citizenship = political rights -Equality against the law -Participation © Inter Alia 2013

Participation What is participation? Lawful attempt to influence/shape decision-making Forms of participation 1.Voting 2.Being a candidate / Getting elected 3.Protesting 4.Civic participation © Inter Alia 2013

Vote Fundamental right / obligation of the citizen © Inter Alia 2013

Vote Timeline © Inter Alia 2013

Candidacy The right to represent the people © Inter Alia 2013

Protest The Right to object © Inter Alia 2013

Civic Participation / Engagement Action on a collective / individual level that seeks and confronts public issues & problems © Inter Alia 2013

Participation Trends Voting fades - Prosperity/perceived prosperity = Apathy - Lack of trust to politicians/disappointment Protest grows (negative participation) -Anger/disappointment -Economic hardships Civic Participation grows (positive participation) -People = bored of stagnancy -Feeling of participation/fulfilment/expression -Visible, short-term results = satisfaction -Less ideologically prone © Inter Alia 2013

Beyond Traditional Participation Between authorities and private life: A space called “Public Sphere” (Jürgen Habermas) What is the Public Sphere for the citizens? -Meeting Point -Viewpoints’ Exchange on public issues -A space for critique -A rostrum for suggestions & action © Inter Alia 2013

Wrap-up Reflection on Modern Democracy: A personal Viewpoint ;-) Fight corruption on all levels (citizens, decision-makers, institutions) Solidarity among people and states with common goals (i.e. EU) Thin down the negatives and boost the positives of capitalism Voting (Don’t let others be more equal than u) Small scale action = Civic action © Inter Alia 2013

Thank you for your attention © Inter Alia 2013